Gaming device

ABSTRACT

A gaming device configured as a slot machine for play of the dice game of craps is provided. The device provides all of the nuances associated with the casino play of the craps game while, simultaneously, eliminating all biases historically associated with the play of this game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates, generally, to the play of the dice gameknown as “craps”. More specifically, the invention provides a device forthe play of craps housed in and played substantially as a conventionalslot machine.

[0002] In the conventional game of craps, two standard, matched dice areused. The players start the game by rolling for “high dice” and theplayer who rolls the highest total on the two dice plays the game first,becoming the “shooter” (or the “roller” or “caster”) Variations on thecasino play of the game are discussed more fully below.

[0003] Initially, the shooter may bet any desired amount. He announceshis bet and places it on the playing surface, generally in the center ofthe surface being played upon. The shooter's bet may be accepted, or“faded”, in whole or in part, by any other player. Each player, in turnto the caster's left, may take (fade) as much of the shooter's bet as hewishes, with precedence accorded to a player willing to fade the entirebet.

[0004] When the bet is faded, the shooter rolls the dice from his barehand, no cup ever being used, shaking them before rolling, generallyproducing clicking to assure the other players that he is not castingthem in a preset position or mode.

[0005] Under the rules of the game, if the faces of the two dice add upto 7 or 11 on the first roll, that is termed a “natural”, and theshooter wins immediately. He collects the bets and keeps the dice, andthe betting and fading proceed to the next roll of dice.

[0006] However, if the total on the dice at the first cast is 2, 3 or12, that outcome event is termed “craps” or “crapping out”, and theshooter loses, but he keeps the dice.

[0007] If the total shown on the first roll is any other of the possiblenumbers—4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10—the number shown on the dice becomes theshooter's “point”. At this stage of play, the shooter has neither wonnor lost. He continues to roll until either: (a) the dice repeat thesame number, that is, he makes his point, in which case he wins, or (b)the dice rolled total 7, in which case he loses and the dice pass to thenext player on his left, who becomes the new shooter.

[0008] A winning roll, whether from a natural or from making a point, iscalled a “pass”. After each pass, the shooter may change his bet.

[0009] In usual play, side bets are permitted. That is, having rolled apoint, the shooter bets additionally on whether or not he will make hispoint, and other players may bet on the same question among themselves.To win consistently, a player must be cognizant of the odds available ateach throw of the dice.

[0010] In most games, there is continual action in betting. If theshooter rolls a point, he may additionally bet on the series of rollsbeginning with his next roll, which are called “come” or “don't come”bets. He may bet that he is “right” or “wrong”, meaning that he willshoot a winning number or crap out, respectively, in the next roll.These designations may have different meanings in different localities,so the player should ascertain the meaning of these terms at thelocation of play.

[0011] In commercial casinos, crap shooting is a favorite game. Theplayers group around a large, felt-covered table. One or more dealerscontrol the game, pay and collect bets, etc. Usually there are two,including a stick man who handles the dice and a cashier. Players do notbet among themselves, but against the house, at odds determined by thehouse. The standard layout of a craps table may be found in anycomprehensive book on gaming and/or on the internet gaming sites whichhave recently proliferated.

[0012] The players take turns casting the dice as in any crap game. Anyplayer may bet upon himself as the shooter, or upon whoever is shooting,the latter termed a “line” or “pass line” bet. The house covers all suchbets, up to a determined and certain limit per player.

[0013] When a player wishes to fade, a term not normally used in casinogames, it is called betting “wrong”. The result of this bet is alteredto restore to the house the advantage, whereby, if the shooter craps outby throwing a 2 or 3 on the first roll, or he throws a point and thenfails to make that point, the house pays. If, however, the shooter'sfirst roll is 12 (double “6's”), the bettor does not win, but the bet iscalled off entirely (a tie) and he keeps his money. Different houses maybar different numbers, i.e., 1-1, and again local rules should bedetermined.

[0014] Once a player has selected a bet amount, he places that bet onthe craps table in the designated area. Once all bets are placed, thedice are rolled.

[0015] The most popular bet at the table is the “pass line” bet, alsocalled the “front line”. A wager on the pass line wins if the first rollof the dice, called the “come out” roll, when no point is established,is either a 7 or 11, i.e., a “natural”. The player loses on the come outroll with a pass line bet if 2, 3 or 12 is rolled.

[0016] If any other number is rolled on the come out roll, e.g., 4, 5,6, 8, 9 or 10, that number becomes the “point”. Once the point has beenestablished, the player (or shooter) in successive rolls must repeat thepoint before a 7 is rolled. If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point isrepeated, the pass line bet loses. A winning bet is paid even money.

[0017] A “don't pass” bet, also called a “back line” bet, is theopposite of the pass line bet. It can only be placed on a come out rollwith no point established. This bet wins if the shooter rolls either a 2or 3 on the come out roll and loses immediately if a 7 or 11 is rolledon the come out roll. When the point has been established, this bet winsif the shooter rolls a 7 before the point is repeated.

[0018] The “come” or (“right”) bet is an extension of the pass line betand may be wagered after the point has been established on the come outroll. The rules for this bet are the same as the pass line bet. The comebet wins if a 7 or 11 is next rolled and loses if a 2, 3 or 12 isrolled. Any other number becomes the come point and must be repeatedbefore a 7 rolls in order to win even money. If the shooter rolls a 4,5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 after a come bet has been placed, the dealer will movethe come bet from the come area to the corresponding box for thatparticular number. Just as with the pass line bet, this wager may not bereduced or removed until play is completed. A winning wager is paid evenmoney.

[0019] The “don't come” (or “wrong”) bet is the opposite of the comebet. It may be wagered any time after the point has been established onthe come out roll. A first roll of 7 or 11 loses, 2 or 3 wins, and 12 isa standoff. If a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 is rolled after a don't come bethas been placed, the dealer will move the wager from the don't come areato the corresponding box for that particular number. The player winseven money if 7 is rolled before the point is repeated.

[0020] Whenever a shooter rolls doubles and the outcome is a 4, 6, 8 or10, the shooter is said to have hit the number the “hard way”, that is,by rolling doubles. If any of these same numbers are rolled and theoutcome is not doubles, the shooter is said to have hit the number the“easy way”. A hard way bet wins when the shooter rolls a number the hardway. A hard way bet loses if the shooter rolls a number the easy way orif the shooter rolls a 7. Usually hard way 4 and 10 pay 7 to 1 and hardway 6 and 8 pay 9 to 1.

[0021] A “field” bet is a wager that the next roll will be a 2, 3, 4, 9,10, 11 or 12. The 2 and the 12 pay double in most houses.

[0022] The present invention provides, in slot-machine format, all ofthe thrills associated with the play of the game of craps and issimilar, in every respect, to the play of the game at a casino crapstable. Eliminated in the device of the invention are all biases in favorof the house such as those arising from biased dice or an overly skilledcroupier. In fact, in the play of the game according to the invention,human intervention is eliminated completely.

[0023] Other casino games, and even pari-mutuel horse racing, have beenadapted so as to be played in slot-machine-like devices. For example,poker, keno, lotto and bingo all have slot-machine counterparts to befound in the patent literature (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,935,002 and5,800,269). No known reference, however, discloses or suggests play ofthe game of craps, in all its significant detail, in the configurationof a slot machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] A slot machine gaming apparatus having means for simulating playof the dice game of craps is provided. In a preferred embodiment, theapparatus is contained in a single free-standing housing and comprises apair of dice, or simulation thereof, and has means for throwing or“shooting” the dice into a pit area. The apparatus includes means forsequentially placing a desired wager upon the outcome of an initialthrow (the “come out roll”) and selected subsequent throws of the dice,as well as means for receiving wagers upon the initial and selectedsubsequent throws of the dice. Wagers on the initial throw may be either“pass line” or “don't pass” wagers, and wagers on subsequent throws maybe either “right” or “wrong” wagers, or any of the various wagersavailable in the game, discussed further hereinbelow. Means forinitiating play, that is to initially actuate the means for throwing thedice, are provided, as well as means for determining the total shown onthe dice after each throw, and means for throwing the dice subsequent tothe initial, actuating throw, and including means for tallying thecumulative winning or positive outcomes of each initial and subsequentthrows and wagers according to a predetermined schedule.

[0025] The apparatus includes means for displaying and paying out to theplayer the total winnings, if any, accrued from the initial throw of thedice and through subsequent play of the game, all according to apredetermined schedule of odds.

[0026] The means for initiating play may be a conventional slot machinelever or handle, or a push button. The means for throwing the dicepreferably includes a simulated human hand from which the dice areejected into the pit area by mechanical means. Alternatively, the meansfor throwing the dice may be simulated by means of a video display.

[0027] In this apparatus, the means for tallying the cumulative winningoutcomes of the initial and subsequent throws and wagers preferablyincludes means for stopping play of the apparatus at the occurrence ofthe first to occur of the following events:

[0028] on an initial “pass line” wager or on a subsequent “right” wager:

[0029] (a) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 7 or 11 on thenext cast;

[0030] (b) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 2, 3 or 12 on thenext cast; and

[0031] on an initial “don't pass” wager or on a subsequent “wrong”wager:

[0032] (c) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 2 or 3 on the nextcast;

[0033] (d) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 7 or 11 on thenext cast; or

[0034] (e) the total shown on the next cast adds up to any one of 4, 5,6, 8, 9 or 10 and the total on a subsequent cast:

[0035] (i) is repeated, or

[0036] (ii) adds up to 7.

[0037] Preferably, each die of the dice pair has electroconductive spotsthereon and the floor of the pit area has electronic detecting sensorsembedded therein. These sensors detect, after each throw of the dice andupon the dice coming to rest upon the floor, the total number of spotsshowing on the top faces of the dice.

[0038] The apparatus may also include means for placing a field wager,that is, that the initial or subsequent roll is a 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 11 or12, and wherein a total of 2 or 12 pays double. It may also includemeans for placing hardway wagers, that is by rolling double 2's, 3's,4's or 5's. Still further, means for placing one roll bets, that is byrolling a particular number on the next roll of the dice, may beincluded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] In the accompanying drawings:

[0040]FIG. 1 is a front elevational perspective view of the deviceaccording to the invention.

[0041]FIG. 2 is a right side elevational perspective view of the deviceof FIG. 1.

[0042]FIGS. 3a through 3 f depict schematically the sequence of eventswhich occur during play of the device disclosed herein, from the dormantmachine (FIG. 3a), to insertion of a coin (FIG. 3b) and pull of thehandle and shaking of the dice (FIG. 3c), “shooting” the dice (FIG. 3d)to display and reading of the total (FIG. 3e), followed by return to thedormant position ready to begin another play (FIG. 3f).

[0043]FIG. 4 shows a die used in play of the invention and FIG. 5 showsthe possible configurations of die outcomes (total spots), the dots ofeach die being electroconductive (or magnetic) to enable automaticelectronic readout of the total shown on the dice instantaneously uponthe dice coming to their rest position after each throw.

[0044]FIG. 6 shows a possible matrix of electronic sensors embeddedwithin the floor of the “pit”, which sensors are programmed to read the“footprint” (translated electronically to “dice total” shown) at eachthrow of the dice during the play of the game.

[0045]FIG. 7 depicts a tumbling device which enables viewing of the diceby the player before each throw, taken substantially along line 7-7 ofFIG. 8 which shows schematically the tumbling chamber which houses thedice prior to each throw.

[0046]FIG. 9 depicts the mechanical operation of conveying the dice fromthe holding and tumbling chamber to and through the mechanical handshown in phantom which “shoots” the dice during play of the game.

[0047]FIG. 10 depicts the mechanical hand in a closed configuration.

[0048]FIG. 11 is a cross-section, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10,showing the relative rotational positions of the hand prior to throw ofthe dice.

[0049]FIG. 12 depicts schematically the movement of the fingers of themechanical hand upon the “shooting” of the dice.

[0050]FIG. 13 shows a skin-like covering for the hand, having flesh toneand the outward appearance of a human hand.

[0051]FIG. 14 shows the cabling of one embodiment to enable the fingersof the hand to open and close in realistic appearance.

[0052]FIG. 15 shows, in mechanical detail, the bending of the indexfinger of the hand upon pull of its actuating cable.

[0053]FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of apparatus for clearing the pit ofthe dice in preparation for the next throw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS WITHREFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

[0054] A gaming device configured as a slot machine for play of the dicegame of craps is provided. The device provides all of the nuancesassociated with the casino play of the craps game while, simultaneously,eliminating all biases historically associated with the play of thisgame.

[0055] A detailed description of the invention and preferred embodimentsis best provided with reference to the accompanying drawings whereinFIG. 1 depicts a front elevation of one embodiment of the gaming deviceaccording to the invention. Therein the apparatus 10, housed within agenerally conventional slot machine configuration, includes displays 14and 34 and actuating handle 20, coin-receiving slot 22 for receivingwagers, and payout tray 28 wherein the player receives his winnings, ifany. Push button means 24, 25 and 26 are used to optionally activatevariations in the play of the game desired by the player including theplacing of “right” or “wrong” bets, described more fully below.

[0056] In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, a pair of dice 18 arecontained within the holding chamber 16 prior to play, which has a glassview panel to enable the player to see the dice. A mechanical agitator17 serves to keep the dice tumbling and in full view of the player priorto play.

[0057] Within the “pit” area 32 shown, also covered by and viewedthrough a glass pane, is a mechanically actuated simulated hand 30,which physically “throws” the dice 18 upon actuation of the lever handle20. In actuality, the tumbling dice 18, on pull of lever 20, areconveying to and through the hand 30 and into the pit area 32, allproviding the appearance of having been thrown there.

[0058] Displays 14 and 34 may include various schedules useful in theplay of the game of craps such as the odds paid out on various winningcombinations shown on the dice, instruction in the play of the game, andother possibly useful or desirable displays. While the mechanical hand30 is depicted for playing the game according to the invention, and ispreferred, video means could also be adapted to this use and would bedisplayed, e.g., in area 14.

[0059] Some slot machines have an electronic push button for initiatingplay instead of the conventional handle. In the configuration shown, oneof the buttons, 24, 25, or 26, i.e. 25, can alternatively be used forthis purpose and handle 20 is not then needed.

[0060] Display dice 12 mounted atop the gaming device may beintermittently illuminated from within thereby attracting attention anddrawing potential players to the uniqueness of this particular devicefor the play of the dice game of craps in the non-conventionalenvironment of a slot machine.

[0061]FIG. 2 depicts a side elevation of the apparatus 10, including thedisplays 14 and 34, handle 20 and payout tray 28. Coin receiver 22 andbuttons 24, 25 and 26 may be seen, as is the dice display/holdingchamber 16, described in greater detail below.

[0062] The sequence of typical events in the play of the game accordingto the invention is depicted schematically in FIGS. 3a through 3 f. InFIG. 3a, the apparatus 10 is shown at rest, awaiting a player. The dice18 are tumbling slowly, indicated by the arrow, within the tumblingchamber 16 acted upon by the mechanical agitator 17. The shooting hand30 is shown in its closed, rest position, prior to insertion of a coininto receiver slot 22 and pull of handle 20 to initiate play.

[0063]FIG. 3b depicts coin 23 being inserted into receiver 22, stillprior to play and otherwise as shown in FIG. 3a.

[0064] The actual player, depicted by the hand shown in phantom in FIG.3c, pulls the handle 20 thereby, optionally, speeding up the tumbling ofthe dice 18 followed by conveying the dice to hand 30 which oscillatesto simulate shaking the dice prior to shooting, as suggested by thedouble-headed arrow. The sequence from FIGS. 3c through 3 d happensrapidly, the latter depicting dice 18 being rolled into the pit 32 asthe hand 30 opens, all as indicated by the dashed arrow, with the dicecoming to a rest position in the pit 32 for readout of the total shownthereon.

[0065] The dice total after each throw is read electronically andrecorded within the machine and tallied according to preset programmingwhich determines the result of that throw.

[0066] At the end of the roll, the handle 20 returns to its startposition and gate 33 sweeps across the pit area 32 and pushes the dice18 out of the pit and onto a conveyor (not shown) for return to thetumbling chamber 16. Simultaneously the hand 30 again closes, asindicated by the arrow, in preparation for the next play, all shown inFIG. 3e. Following this sequence of events and as shown in FIG. 3f, thegate mechanism 33 returns to its initial rest position, the dice 18 areagain being tumbled within chamber 16, both indicated by the arrows, andthe device is ready for the next play.

[0067]FIG. 4 shows a typical die 18 used in the play of the device 10.The spots 40 on each die 18 are rendered electroconductive to enableinstantaneous electronic read-out of the total shown on the dice aftereach throw, as described and explained more fully below.

[0068]FIG. 5 is simply a pattern showing the relative configurations ofpossible rest patterns which each die may assume. When a die comes to arest position on the floor of pit 32, small electrical sensors embeddedwithin the floor in a printed circuit therein are closed according tothe number of conductive spots on the dice which contact the pit floorafter a given throw. Because the read-out of each die must indicate thenumber of spots showing on its top face, the totaling and tallying aftereach throw must be programmed to read that number showing on theopposite face of the die face in contact with the floor 32. That is, ifa die falling on the pit floor has its 6-spot face resting on the floor,the read-out total is electronically programmed to display the oppositeface total, or the 1-spot. Similarly, the 5-spot face is read as a 2,the 4-spot as a 3, the 3-spot as a 4, the 2-spot as a 5 and the 1-spotas a 6. Each possible pattern is shown in FIG. 5 and an exploded view ofa possible sensor pattern 56 to detect these totals is shown in FIG. 6.

[0069] The pattern 56 of ± sensors 58 all closely packed in theconfiguration shown provides one possible means for reading the totalshown on the dice 18 following each throw in the play of the craps game.The dashed line 40′ shown in FIG. 6 illustrates one spot 40 on a die andits coverage area on the pattern 56 of the pit floor 32. As may be seen,because the spots 40 on the dice are electronically conductive, at resteach die closes a number of the circuits in pattern 56 according to thetotal number of spots resting on the floor. This total is convertedelectronically to the dice total showing to the player for tallyingpurposes, as described above. For example, if each of the tiny sensorsshown in FIG. 6 represents a charge of {fraction (1/10)} volt, then eachspot 40 closes approximately 1 volt, i.e. it completes an average of 10circuits as shown, and the total number of spots on each die in surfacecontact with the pattern 56 is determined, thereby permitting thedistinctions between, say, a “2” and “2” versus a “3” and “1” throw.While this embodiment of a means for die read-out achieves the desiredresult, it will be clear to one skilled in the art that many othermechanisms are possible for achieving this purpose, and all suchmechanisms are considered to be within the scope of the invention.

[0070]FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a simple tumbling mechanism for agitating thedice during non-playing rest modes of the device according to theinvention. In FIG. 7, the dice 18 are agitated by the mechanical vanestirrer 17 rotating as indicated by the arrows within the chamber 16.Upon initiation of play, the gate 64 opens and the die 18 fall intochute 66, to be conveyed to the “hand”, described below. After a play,the dice are reconveyed back to chamber 16 through chute 62.

[0071]FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken substantially along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 showing the agitated dice 18, visible through window 15, stirredby vane 17 within chamber 16, the stirrer powered by motor 19. Upon thestart of play, the gate 64 opens as indicated by the arrow, dropping thedice 18 into the chute 66. When the gate 64 opens, the dice fall intochute 66, shown schematically in FIG. 9, the chute 66 leading to themechanical hand 30, shown in phantom in FIG. 9. The various movements ofthe hand 30 and its attached arm are illustrated in FIGS. 9 through 11.

[0072] In these figures, upon insertion of a coin or coins into theapparatus, drive shaft 80 is caused to oscillate on command (to simulate“shakinG” of the dice) by means of motor 68 driving flywheel 70 to whichis connected offset pin 72 on which is mounted linkage 74, all of whichmove bracket 76 in a back-and-forth pattern (indicated by thedouble-headed arrow) to provide the simulated shaking movement of hand30. Drive shaft 82 is mounted in bearings 78 and 80 and has grippingbracket 84 affixed at its end thereof as shown.

[0073] In the top view of the hand mechanism shown in FIG. 10, the chute66 is shown positioned so as to be not visible to the player, beingconcealed from view by the hand 30. The drive shaft 82 carried inbearing 80 extends to bracket 84 which provides the simulated shakingmotion of hand 30. Concealed within the hand 30 is actuator cable 90,similar to a bicycle brake cable, which controls motion of the indexfinger of hand 30 in the direction of the double-headed arrow shown, allof which simulates “opening” of the hand 30 upon passage of the dice 18through the chute 66 and discharge out of the hand/fingers and into thepit, all actuated by a signal from the pull of the handle 20 of themachine 10. The cable 90 within its housing 86 is carried through pivotbearings 88 to simulate realistic finger motion.

[0074]FIG. 11, taken substantially along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, depictsthe sequential motion of the hand bracket 84, indicated by thedouble-headed arrow, during the simulated shaking, the movement beingabout drive shaft 82, and indicating the flexibility of cable 90 and itshousing sheath 86.

[0075]FIG. 12 shows the sequential motion of the index finger 96 of thehand as it simulates opening upon passage therethrough of the dice. Theinternal hand structure 94, connected to and manipulated by bracket 84and shaft 82, mounts the finger 96 and simulated joints 98.

[0076]FIG. 13 shows the covering of the hand 30 which covers the handmechanism and is designed to appear as a human hand. Preferably it is ofa flesh tone plastic material.

[0077]FIG. 14 shows the simulated index finger 96 in the “open” mode,which configuration is controlled, by electronic signal to the cabledrive mechanism (not shown), by the cable 90 passing through pivotbearings 88, the force direction to open the finger being indicated bythe arrow. When this force is reversed, upon a signal indicating the endof a given throw, this force is reversed as indicated by the arrow shownin FIG. 15, and the finger 96 is bent, the overall effect being thesimulation of the hand “closing”.

[0078]FIG. 16 depicts, in schematic perspective, the floor of the pit 32having printed circuit sensor floor 56 and over which the sweeping gate33 passes, as indicated by the arrow, to clear the dice 18 after eachthrow. In one embodiment, as shown, the dice are cleared through ahinged trap door 100 and deposited onto a conveyor belt 102 forconveyance back to chute 62, shown in FIG. 7, and redeposited intochamber 16.

[0079] To initiate play, a player deposits a wager in the form of a coinor coins into slot 22 and pulls handle 20. The sequence of eventsproceeds as described above. All bets are placed against the “house”, asin normal casino play. The optional bet buttons 24 and 26 are, forexample, for placing additional bets after the “come out” roll, thisbeing actuated by pull of the handle to start play. Push button 25 maybe used to play a pass line bet by pushing it (i.e. betting that thedice will total 7 or 11) and, by not pushing, that the “don't pass” betis chosen. Push buttons may be included for every affirmative action(bet) desired, or buttons may be employed which result in one option(“pass”) if pushed and the other available option (i.e. “don't pass”) ifnot pushed. As in most casinos, to adjust the odds to favor the house,each machine may be pre-programmed such that, on come bets (betting“right”), after the point is established, the player wins if 7 or 11 isrolled and loses if 2, 3, or 12 is rolled (crap out). But on a “don'tcome” bet (betting “wrong”), the player wins by shooting a 2 or 3 on hisnext roll, or gets a point and fails to make it, in which event themachine (house) pays. But if the player's next roll is 6-6 (or 1-1 insome places), the player does not win, a tie is declared, and the wageris called off.

[0080] Other bets proceed accordingly as described above, and variationson play and betting can be built into devices according to the inventionby design. A not unimportant feature of this invention results frominherent non-bias. The mechanical “hand”, for example, has no skill aswould be found in a croupier. The dice should have no particular bias,and, in fact, multiple sets of dice could be mixed and matched andrandomly selected from a holding chamber positioned between the pitfloor 32 and the holding chamber 16. Each machine could be built andtested to ensure that each has an inherent bias of statisticallynear-zero, and backed by test data to ensure to each player that hismachine is “honest”. While most gambling houses (casinos) do not have tocheat to win, their odds advantage being sufficient to guaranteeprofitability over time, it is well known that every craps dealer isselected for his skill in handling dice. The invention obviates any andall of such biases, to the ultimate benefit of avid players of thistime-tested game.

[0081] While the invention has been disclosed herein in connection withcertain embodiments and detailed descriptions, it will be clear to oneskilled in the art that modifications or variations of such details canbe made without deviating from the gist of this invention, and suchmodifications or variations are considered to be within the scope of theclaims hereinbelow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A slot machine gaming apparatus having means forsimulating play of the dice game of craps.
 2. Apparatus for the play ofthe dice game of craps, said apparatus contained in a singlefree-standing housing and comprising. a pair of dice or simulationthereof, means for throwing or “shooting” said dice into a pit area orsimulation thereof, means for sequentially placing a desired wager uponthe outcome of an initial throw and selected subsequent throws of saiddice, means for receiving wagers upon the initial and selectedsubsequent throws of said dice, wherein said wagers on the initial throwmay be either “pass line” or “don't pass” wagers, and said wagers onsubsequent throws may be either “right” or “wrong” wagers, means forinitiating play, thereby to initially actuate said means for throwingsaid dice, means for determining the total shown on said dice after eachthrow, means for throwing said dice subsequent to said initial actuatingthrow, means for tallying the cumulative winning or positive outcomes ofeach initial and subsequent throws and wagers according to apredetermined schedule, and means for displaying and paying out to theplayer the total winnings, if any, accrued from said throws of the dice.3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for tallying the cumulativewinning outcomes of each initial and subsequent throws and wagersinclude means for stopping all play of said apparatus at the occurrenceof the first to occur of the following events: on a “pass line” wager:(a) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 7 or 11 on the initialcast; (b) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 2, 3 or 12 on theinitial cast; and on a “don't pass” wager: (c) the total shown on thetwo dice adds up to 2 or 3 on the initial cast; (d) the total shown onthe two dice adds up to 7 or 11 on the initial cast; or (e) the totalshown on the initial cast adds up to any one of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 andthe total on a subsequent cast: (i) is repeated, or (ii) adds up to 7.4. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for tallying the cumulativewinning outcomes of each initial and subsequent throws and wagersinclude means for stopping all play of said apparatus at the occurrenceof the first to occur of the following events: on a “right” wager: (a)the total shown on the two dice adds up to 7 or 11 on the next cast; (b)the total shown on the two dice adds up to 2, 3 or 12 on the next cast;and on a “wrong” wager: (c) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 2or 3 on the next cast; (d) the total shown on the two dice adds up to 7or 11 on the next cast; or (e) the total shown on the next cast adds upto any one of 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 or 10 and the total on a subsequent cast:(i) is repeated, or (ii) adds up to
 7. 5. The apparatus of claim 2wherein said means for initiating play is a conventional slot machinelever or handle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means forinitiating play is a push button.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinthe means for throwing said dice includes a simulated human hand fromwhich said dice are ejected into said pit area by mechanical means. 8.The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for throwing said dice issimulated by means of a video display.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2wherein each die of said dice pair has electroconductive spots thereonand the floor of said pit area has electronic detecting sensors thereinwhereby said sensors detect, after each throw of said dice and upon saiddice coming to rest upon said floor, the total number of spots showingon the top faces of said dice.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2 includingmeans for placing a field wager, that is, that the next roll is a 2, 3,4, 9, 10, 11 or 12, and wherein a total of 2 or 12 pays double.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 2 including means for placing hardway wagers, that isby rolling double 2's, 3's, 4's or 5's.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2including means for placing one roll bets, that is by rolling aparticular number on the next roll of the dice.